2014 Domaine Bessa Valley Enira

Tasting note Domaine Bessa Valley Enira

Description

Given the background of the winemaker, it is not surprising that Von Neippergs Enira is far beyond other Bulgarian wines and has a very French style. The small share syrah (about 12%) also gives the assembly its own character and prevents it from being the umpteenth copy of bordeaux.

Stephan von Neipperg is the famous owner of the renowned grand cru classé Château Canon La Gaffelière from Saint-Emilion. In 1999 he started a new business with a German business partner in the Bulgarian Bessa Valley, 150 km southeast of Sofia. The prominent presence of limestone and clay is reminiscent of the better Saint-Emilion vineyards and is one of the main reasons why Von Neipperg sees great opportunities here.

In 2005 the vineyard - with 140 hectares of merlot (55%), syrah, petit rot and cabernet sauvignon - was ready for the first harvest. We have been impressed with the quality of Enira since the 2011 harvest. It is a handsome, luxurious red wine with refined use of oak, warm and full of flavor and with a long lasting soft aftertaste. The vinification of hand-picked grapes is very similar to the process in Saint-Emilion, with sorting tables and the second malolactic fermentation in oak casks.

The maturation lasts twelve months in casks of one, two and three years old. This makes the wood influence nicely dosed, but not predominant.

Characteristics